Traditional Games Bring Excitement To HAWANA 2025 Sports Carnival

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The 2025 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) Sports Carnival held at the IWK Eco Park, Pantai Dalam here, was brought to life today with a series of traditional games, creating an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie among media practitioners. 

Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin highlighted the positive response to this year’s event, which aligns with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil’s suggestion to introduce a wider variety of sports compared to last year.

While last year’s event focused on sports such as bowling, football, and netball, this year’s carnival introduced traditional games to encourage broader participation, particularly among media personnel who may not be inclined towards high-intensity sports.

“We understand that some media practitioners prefer less physically demanding activities, so we decided to include traditional games alongside the more intense sports to cater to all participants,” she said.

Also present were Bernama Editor-in-Chief, Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, News Service Acting Deputy Editor-in-Chief Mohd Shukri Ishak, Economic News Service Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Azlina Aziz, and Strategic Planning Division Head, Harlina Samson.

Nur-ul Afida said the primary aim of the HAWANA Sports Carnival is to strengthen bonds among media practitioners as the year draws to a close.

The traditional sports featured included tug-of-war, galah panjang (long stick game), seven cans, dam haji (board game), congkak (traditional game), dam ular (snake and ladder), rubber band necklace, and batu seremban (five stones). To add to the festive spirit, participants also wore traditional kampung-style attire.

Looking ahead to next year’s event, Nur-ul Afida said the organisers are considering incorporating new sports, such as pickleball and badminton, based on participant interest.

She also expressed appreciation to the four main teams - Bernama, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), and the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), for their active involvement in the carnival.

Winners of today’s events will take home cash prizes: RM4,000 for first place, RM2,000 for second, and RM1,000 for third.

The HAWANA 2025 programme organised by Bernama, began with a bowling competition on Dec 14, followed by netball and football events yesterday.

-- BERNAMA